Is Boulder or New York City Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, New York City is safer than Boulder (Safety Score 19/100 vs 19/100), with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100,000 versus 3,055 for Boulder — 1% lower. Boulder has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Boulder has a 100% lower rate.
Note: New York City is 78.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Boulder — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
New York City — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Boulder, CO
New York City, NY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Boulder | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,055.3 | 3,039.7 | +15.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 322.3 | 671.4 | -349.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 3.9 | -3.9 |
| Rape Rate | 35.2 | 23.4 | +11.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.7 | 187.5 | -142.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 242.4 | 456.2 | -213.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,733.0 | 2,368.3 | +364.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 383.1 | 154.7 | +228.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,141.7 | 2,015.0 | +126.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 208.2 | 198.5 | +9.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boulder or New York City safer?
New York City is safer with a total crime rate of 3,040 per 100K vs 3,055 for Boulder — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Boulder has a violent crime rate of 322.3 per 100K while New York City has 671.4. Boulder has lower violent crime.
About Boulder, CO
Nestled at the base of the Flatirons, Boulder is home to a highly educated populace, with a significant portion holding advanced degrees. This university city, known for its outdoor recreation and progressive culture, sits at an elevation of 5,430 feet. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 105,195, Boulder has a total crime rate of 3,055.3 per 100,000 residents.
About New York City, NY
New York City, a global financial hub, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River. Home to the iconic Statue of Liberty, its five boroughs house over 8 million people, making it the most populous city in the United States. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 8,299,271, New York City has a total crime rate of 3,039.7 per 100,000 residents.